Comedian Daniel Sloss has revealed that people within the comedy industry were aware of allegations about Russell Brand’s behavior over a decade ago. Sloss made these claims in the wake of a collaborative investigation The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches, in which four women accused Brand of sexual assault, rape, and controlling, abusive, and predatory behavior.
Sloss stated that there were numerous stories of varying severity circulating within the industry, and that female comedians had warned each other about Brand’s alleged misconduct in WhatsApp groups. He also expressed his belief that questions should have been asked about Brand before he was employed for certain projects.
The allegations against Brand span from 2006 to 2013, a time when he was a BBC Radio 2 presenter, a Channel 4 presenter, and involved in Hollywood films and his own late-night talk show. In the Channel 4 documentary Dispatches, one woman named Nadia alleged that Brand raped her against a wall in his Los Angeles home.
Another woman, named Alice, claimed that Brand assaulted her when she was only 16 and still in school. She described him as engaging in emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, often attempting to drive a wedge between her and her parents. Two other women also accused Brand of sexual assault, with one stating he had been physically and emotionally abusive towards her.
In response to these allegations, Brand vehemently denied them prior to the documentary’s release. He claimed that although he had been promiscuous in the past, all his relationships had been consensual. Brand also questioned whether there was another agenda at play, suggesting that coordinated media attacks had occurred before when individuals challenged mainstream narratives.
It is important to note that these allegations have not been proven in a court of law. However, the claims made multiple women as well as the testimonies of witnesses should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
Sources:
– The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches
– BBC News
